Eucalyptus tree named ‘G5’

ABSTRACT

A new  Eucalyptus grandis  tree particularly distinguished by having a fast growth rate, average frost tolerance, and good coppicing properties, is disclosed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FEDERAL RESEARCH SUPPORT

This invention was supported in part by funds from the U.S. Government pursuant to Grant No. FLA-FOR-04168 from USDA CSREES. The U.S. Government therefore has certain rights in the invention.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Eucalyptus grandis.

Variety denomination: ‘G5’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Eucalyptus, botanically known as Eucalyptus grandis, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘G5’. It is characterized by having a fast growth rate, average frost tolerance, and good coppicing properties when grown under normal forestry practices in southern Florida.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘G5’ originated from over 1,600 seedlings of Eucalyptus grandis. ‘G5’ is the result of open-pollination in a fourth-generation seedling seed orchard at Palmdale, Fla. The female (seed) parent of ‘G5’ is the proprietary Eucalyptus grandis seedling selection with the identification number ‘3242’, not patented, characterized by its fast growth and average frost tolerance. The male (pollen) parent of ‘G5’ is unknown. The maternal parent (‘3242’) originated from open-pollination. The female (seed) parent of ‘3242’ is the proprietary Eucalyptus grandis seedling selection with the identification number ‘1065’, not patented, characterized by its good growth and acceptable frost tolerance. The male (pollen) parent of ‘3242’ is unknown. ‘G5’ was selected as a single tree from the progeny of the above stated open-pollination during March 2004.

‘G5’ was first propagated in June of 2008 in Apopka, Fla. through cuttings and in vitro propagation. Asexually propagated trees of ‘G5’ have remained true to the original selected tree, and all characteristics of the tree have been transmitted and retained through three successive asexual vegetative generations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar have not been applied for. ‘G5’ has not been made publicly available more than one year prior to the filing of this application.

‘G5’ differs from the female parent ‘3242’ by having faster growth, better frost tolerance, and good coppicing properties.

Commercial varieties: E.nergy™ series eucalyptus cultivars ‘G1’, ‘G2’, ‘G3’, and ‘G4’ may be compared with eucalyptus cultivar ‘G5’ (see Table 1).

TABLE 1 Comparison of Eucalyptus grandis Cultivars ‘G1’, ‘G2’, ‘G3’, ‘G4’, and ‘G5’ Cultivar G1^(a) G2^(a) G3^(a) Tree: Size: Height (m) 12.6 ~15 ~16 Size: DBH (Diam- eter in cm at 4.5′) Size: Spread (m) ~4 ~3 ~3 Vigor: Average Good Good Density: Open Open Open Form (overall Good Good Good shape of tree): Growth habit Evergreen Evergreen Evergreen (current season): Trunk and Branches: Trunk texture: top Smooth Smooth Smoother Trunk texture: base Rough Smooth Smooth Trunk upper bark Mottled grey- Mottled grey, Mottled grey, color: brown brown, green brown, green Trunk lower bark Mottled grey- Mottled grey, Mottled grey, color: brown brown, green brown, green Branch texture: Glabrous Glabrous Glabrous Branch color: Green Green Green, Reddish Leaves: Size (lamina aver- 10-20 10-20 10-16 age): Length (cm) Size (lamina aver- 1.5-3.0 1.5-2.5 1.5-2.5 age): Width (cm) Type: Simple, petiolate, Simple, peti- Simple, petiolate, alternate, olate, alternate, alternate, persistent persistent persistent Shape: Narrow Narrow Narrow lanceolate, lanceolate, lanceolate, slightly sickle slightly sickle slightly sickle shaped shaped shaped Apex: Acuminate Acuminate Acuminate Base: Acute, can be Acute, can be Acute, can be slightly slightly slightly unequilateral unequilateral unequilateral Margin: Smooth Smooth, Wavy Smooth, Wavy Surface texture: Glabrous Glabrous Glabrous Upper Surface texture: Glabrous Glabrous Glabrous Lower Color: Upper Dark green (RHS Green (RHS Green (RHS Green group Green group Green group 126C) 126C) 136B) Color: Lower Light green Green (RHS Green (RHS (RHS Green Green group Green group group 124B) 127B) 136C) Petiole: Shape Slightly Slightly Slightly flattened, flattened, flattened, groove at top groove at top groove at top Petiole: Length 1.5-2.5 1.5-2.0 1.5-2.5 (cm) Petiole: Width 1-2 1-2 1-2 (mm) Petiole: Upper Pale green (RHS Pale green Pale green Color Yellow-Green (RHS Yellow- (RHS Yellow- group 144D) Green group Green group 144D) 144D) Petiole: Lower Pale green (RHS Pale green Pale green Color Yellow-Green (RHS Yellow- (RHS Yellow- group 144D) Green group Green group 144D) 144D) Petiole: Texture Smooth Smooth Smooth Flowers: Age at First 2+ 2+ 2+ Flowering: (years) Flower Fragrance: Mild Mild Mild Flower Type: Clustered Clustered Clustered Flower 7 7 7 Buds/Cluster: Stamen: Number Many Many Many Anther Filament: <1 ~1 ~1 Length (cm) Anther: Color White White White Pistil: Number 1 1 1 Pistil: Length (cm) <1 <1 <1 Bloom Season mid-July- late July-mid- mid-August- October September late-October Reproductive Organs: Fruit/seed (if produced): Capsules/Cluster 3-7 3-7 3-7 Capsule: Size 5-7 × 5-6 5-7 × 5-6 5-7 × 5-6 (mm) Capsule: Shape Pyriform Pyriform Pyriform Capsule: Texture Smooth Woody Smooth Woody Smooth Woody Capsule: Color Green-brown Green-brown Green-brown Capsule Stalk: Short Short Short Length Resistance/toler- ance to Diseases/pests: Blue Gum Chalcid No Yes Yes Coppice: Ability High High High Stems/Stool 3-5 1-2 3-5 Cultivar G4^(a) G5^(b) Tree: Size: Height (m) ~16 ~15.4 Size: DBH (Diameter 18.3 in cm at 4.5′) Size: Spread (m) ~3 ~3 Vigor: Good Good Density: Open Open Form (overall shape of Good Straight Stem, Slightly tree): Drooping Branches Growth habit Evergreen Evergreen (current season): Trunk and Branches: Trunk texture: top Smoother Smooth Trunk texture: base Smooth rough Trunk upper bark Mottled grey, pink Moderate yellow color: (RHS 161A) to Pale green (RHS 160C) Trunk lower bark Mottled grey, pink Grayish reddish color: orange (RHS 176D to RHS 177D) Branch texture: Glabrous Glabrous Branch color: Grey, Reddish Moderate yellow (RHS 160A) Leaves: Size (lamina average): 10-15 13-13.5 Length (cm) Size (lamina average): 2 4.2-5.0 Width (cm) Type: Simple, petiolate, Simple, petiolate, alternate, persistent alternate, persistent Shape: Narrow lanceolate, Lanceolate, slightly slightly sickle shaped sickle shaped, slightly offcenter midrib Apex: Acuminate Acuminate Base: Typically acute, can Acute, can be slightly be slightly unequi- unequilateral lateral, slightly offcenter midrib Margin: Smooth, Wavy Smooth Surface texture: Upper Glabrous glabrous Surface texture: Lower Glabrous glabrous Color: Upper Green Strong yellow green (RHS 143A) Color: Lower Pale Green Strong yellow green (RHS 143C) Petiole: Shape Slightly flattened Slightly flattened groove at top Petiole: Length (cm) 1-2 1.5-2.5 Petiole: Width (mm) 1-2 1-2 Petiole: Upper Color Light green-Pink Deep orangish yellow (RHS 163A) Petiole: Lower Color Light green-Pink Deep orangish yellow (RHS 163C) Petiole: Texture Smooth Smooth Flowers: Not Observed Age at First Flowering: 2+ 4+ (years) Flower Fragrance: Mild Not Observed Flower Type: Clustered Not Observed Flower Buds/Cluster: 7 Not Observed Stamen: Number Many Not Observed Anther Filament: ~1 Not Observed Length (cm) Anther: Color White Not Observed Pistil: Number 1 Not Observed Pistil: Length (cm) <1 Not Observed Bloom Season mid-September- Not Observed late-October Reproductive Organs: Not Observed Fruit/seed (if Not Observed produced): Capsules/Cluster 3-7 Not Observed Capsule: Size (mm) 5-7 × 5-8 Not Observed Capsule: Shape Pyriform Not Observed Capsule: Texture Smooth Woody Not Observed Capsule: Color Green-brown Not Observed Capsule Stalk: Length Short Not Observed Resistance/tolerance to Diseases/pests: Blue Gum Chalcid Yes Yes Coppice: Ability High Not Observed Stems/Stool 3-5 Not Observed ^(a)13-year-old trees near Ft Meade, FL, and 2-year-old trees near Winter Garden, FL. ^(b)4.2-year-old trees near Winter Garden, FL.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new eucalyptus tree is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the tree's form and foliage. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of trees approximately 2 to 3.5-years old.

FIG. 1. Shows overall plant habit including foliage of a 3.5-year-old tree.

FIG. 2. Shows overall plant habit including foliage of 2-year-old trees.

FIG. 3. Shows a close-up of the bark of a 3.5-year-old tree.

FIG. 4. Shows a close-up of the bark of a 2-year-old tree.

FIG. 5. Shows upper branches of a 3.5-year-old tree.

FIG. 6. Shows mature leaves of a 2-year-old tree.

FIG. 7. Shows a close-up of mature leaves of a 2-year-old tree.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘G5’. The present botanical description is that of 2-year-old trees growing near Winter Garden, Fla. The colors (except those in common terms) are described from R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society in London (second edition), in association with the Flower Council of Holland.

Phenotypic Description of Eucalyptus grandis var. ‘G5’

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Eucalyptus grandis var. ‘G5’.         -   Common name.—Eucalyptus. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—‘3242’, not patented.         -   Male parent.—Unknown. -   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Height — ˜10 m, Spread — ˜3 m.         -   Vigor.—Average.         -   Density.—Open.         -   Form (overall shape of tree).—Straight stem with slightly             drooping branches.         -   Growth habit (current season).—Evergreen. -   Trunk and branches:     -   -   Trunk diameter.—18.3 cm at 4.5 feet above the ground.         -   Trunk texture.—Smooth at top, rough at base.         -   Trunk upper bark color.—Moderate yellow (RHS 161A) to Pale             green (RHS 160C).         -   Trunk lower bark color.—Grayish reddish orange (RHS 176D to             RHS 177D).         -   Branch texture.—Glabrous.         -   Branch color.—Moderate yellow (RHS 160A). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size (lamina average).—Length — 10-14 cm, Width 2.0-3.5 cm.         -   Type.—Simple, petiolate, alternate, persistent.         -   Shape.—Lanceolate, slightly sickle shaped, slightly             off-center midrib.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Acute, can be slightly unequilateral.         -   Margin.—Smooth.         -   Surface texture.—Upper — glabrous, Lower — glabrous.         -   Color.—Upper — RHS 132B (Strong green), Lower — RHS 124B             (Light green).         -   Petiole.—Shape: Slightly flattened. Length: 1.5-2.5 cm.             Width: 1-2 mm. Color: RHS 11D (Pale yellow). Texture:             Smooth. -   Flowers: No flowering has been observed. -   Reproductive organs: No organs observed. -   Fruit/seed (if produced): No fruit/seed observed. -   Resistance/tolerance to diseases/pests: No unusual susceptibilities     noted. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Eucalyptus grandis tree as shown and described herein. 